Online Continuing Education 20-Credit Advanced Certificate Program for Healthcare and Other Professionals

Overdose Lifeline provides a 20-credit advanced continuing education certificate program covering eight core topics on substance use disorder to address the substance use disorder (SUD) knowledge gap for clinicians and professionals engaging with / providing services for individuals with SUD.

The 20-Credit Advanced Certificate Program will assist clinicians and professionals in building knowledge and competency in the underserved area - substance use disorder / opioid crisis. 

Substance use disorders are a pressing health concern in the United States, where rates of morbidity and mortality increase every year. Over 20 million people in the U.S meet the criteria for an SUD, an estimated 23 million are in recovery, and over 100,000 people died from an overdose in 2022 (Morreale et al., 2020; National Center for Health Statistics, 2021).

Clinicians and Professionals working with and providing services to individual affected by substance use disorder have an important role in advocacy, community and patient education, prevention, treatment and recovery.

Download Overview:  CE Courses and Certificate Program SUD - Opioid Specialization.pdf

CE Accreditation Statement

Purdue University College of Pharmacy designates Overdose Lifeline's online courses as an enduring activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Laypersons and all other healthcare providers will receive a Certificate of Participation with appropriate AMA credit designation.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ (ACCME) is accepted for many clinical continuing education requirements and many societies and credentialing bodies accept the AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ as an equivalent as long as the topic is relevant to the applicant’s field or discipline.

Looking for another CE Credit area?

Pharmacy ACPE,  Physician ACCME,  Nursing ANCC,  First Responders

Certificate Program Learning Outcomes

8 Online Courses and Practicum Assignment

  • Increase knowledge about SUD and treatment, result in a more informed and aware professional, improved interaction with patients with SUD or recognition of early-stage display of risk factors.

  • Raised confidence, better able to serve individuals affected by SUD.

  • Improve attitudes and alleviate discomfort working with patients who have SUDs.

  • Reduce barriers to care and improved health outcomes with individuals accessing/receiving support and services more easily/earlier in the disease cycle.

Accredited On-Demand SUD and Opioid Courses

25,000+ Clinicians / Professionals Served

  • Enhance Professional Knowledge and Effectiveness

    92% of people strongly agree/agree... "The course information has enhanced my professional knowledge and effectiveness in my interaction with individuals affected."

  • Highly Recommended

    87% of people strongly agree/agree... "Would recommend this course to a friend or colleague."

  • Trusted SUD Education

    Trusted by clinicians, professionals, and partners in all 50 U.S. states, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Navy, NIH National Institute of Drug Abuse, Health Departments, Schools, Colleges and Universities, and more.

  • Video-Based On-Demand Courses

    Accredited video-based on-demand courses. Take online courses from anywhere, completing when it is convenient for you.

  • Evidence Informed

    Evidence-informed learning design drawn from cognitive psychology research, a broad-based theory that analyzes the process of taking in new information. Applies Bloom’s taxonomy of educational objectives.

  • CE Credit and Certificate

    Obtain continuing education credits on substance use disorder and opioids. Certificates and CE credit available upon successful individual course completion and an overall certificate at completion of the practicum.

About the Certificate Program Course Track

Students will complete eight online courses and a brief practicum assignment. Each video-based course includes "Check My Knowledge" activities to assist in preparing for the course final exam. CE credits are issued automatically at the successful completion of each course.

Certificate Program Course Track

The Brain and Disease of Addiction (BDA) — 2.0 Continuing Education Credits 

Removing the Shame and Stigma of Substance Use Disorder / Addiction (RSS-SUD) — 3.0 Continuing Education Credits 

Guide to Harm Reduction — 3.0 Continuing Education Credits 

Guide to Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery (SUD-TR) — 3.0 Continuing Education Credits 

Medication Assisted Treatment: Understanding the Role of Medication Assisted Treatment in Recovery (MAT) — 3.0 Continuing Education Credits 

ACEs and Trauma's Role in Substance Use Disorder (ATR-SUD)  — 1.5 Continuing Education Credits 

The Opioid Public Health Crisis (OPHC) — 3.0 Continuing Education Credits 

Layperson Naloxone Administration (LPN) — 1.5 Continuing Education Credits

PLUS: Certificate Practicum Assignment VIEW Practicum-Assignment-Overview.pdf

How to Enroll

New Student or Haven't Taken an Online Course is Over a Year?
If you have not yet taken any online course -- or it's been over a year since you completed a course, simply purchase the 20-Credit Advanced Certificate Course Bundle on this webpage, pay online, and begin today.

Already Taken an Online Course(s) in the Past 12 Months?
Email [email protected], or call 844-554-3354, extension 4 and we'll get you enrolled — providing a discount for the courses that you already completed.

Want to Pay by Invoice or Have a Group to Enroll?
We can help. Email [email protected], or call 844-554-3354, extension 4 and we'll get you started. For groups of 6-11 we can provide a 10% discount. Group 12+, 15%.

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

  • What is an Advanced Continuing Education Certificate Program?

    Advanced professional certificates are professional credentials designed to help professionals enhance their job performance and marketability in their respective fields. Completion of a certificate program indicates completion of a course or series of courses with a specific concentration that is different from an educational degree program. The end goal of an advanced professional certificate is so that professionals may demonstrate knowledge of course content at the end of a set period.

  • How many courses make up the certificate program?

    The certificate program includes a practicum assignment and eight (8) online courses, which may be taken in any order. The submission of a practicum assignment completes the certificate track.

  • How many CE hours does the certificate program provide?

    20 hours.

  • Do I have to buy the certificate program in order to take the courses?

    No. Many people take two or three courses before committing to the entire certificate program. Others simply take courses they find interesting without ever intending to pursue the certificate program.

  • I am not a nurse, pharmacist, or physician. How does AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ work for other diciplines / professions?

    Purdue University College of Pharmacy designates Overdose Lifeline's online courses as an enduring activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Laypersons and all other healthcare providers will receive a Certificate of Participation with appropriate AMA credit designation.

    AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ (ACCME) is accepted for many clinical continuing education requirements and many societies and credentialing bodies accept the AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ as an equivalent as long as the topic is relevant to the applicant’s field or discipline.

  • What is required to earn CE credits for a course?

    100% course completion. 80% (minimum) passing grade on the final exam. Complete the course ending survey.

  • Have more questions? Visit our Support page.

    Visit the Support webpage for information on how to navigate through the course and other helpful information.

    Or you can email [email protected] or call 844-554-3354, ext. 4.